Caleb Muntz takes positive step in recovery from RWC-ending injury

Caleb Muntz, who helped the Flying Fijians record a historic first win over England before seriously damaging his knee on the eve of the Rugby World Cup in France, is set to return to training this week.

Muntz kicked three penalties and three conversions in the 2023 World Cup warmup match as Fiji won 30-22 at Twickenham and was expected to have a key role in France before he was seriously injured in training.

The outside half has been undergoing a long rehabilitation programme with the Fijian Drua and Mick Byrne, who will take over as the Flying Fijians head coach once he has completed the Super Pacific Rugby season with the Drua, has revealed Muntz will return to training for the first time this week.

That puts Muntz on course to rejoin the national team who face the Barbarians at Twickenham on June 22, the All Blacks on July 20 at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego before the Pacific Nations Cup which starts with Fiji’s game against Samoa on August 22.

The former Hamilton Boys’ High School student made his Flying Fijians debut against Tonga and Byrne has been impressed with the player’s recovery and is also ready to consider 20-year-old Drua player Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.

Byrne told local media: “Muntz has recovered really well. There is always potential for these young players who are always looking to grow our team. The process of developing the Drua was to create the depth of rugby within the professional game.”

In his new Flying Fijians role, Bryne could also be able to call upon Highlanders wing Timoci Tavatavanawai and former England No8 Nathan Hughes who is currently playing for Black Rams in Japan and has expressed his interest in switching countries. Hughes, 32, was born in Lautoko with the last of his 22 England caps being won in 2019 against Scotland.

Hughes helped Auckland reach the ITM Cup Final before joining Wasps in 2013 where he qualified for England through the residency rule.